Drug dealers don’t just happen in other neighborhoods. There are drug dealers in all types of neighborhoods. There are four things that make a drug dealer:

Product (Drugs to sell)

Buyer (Someone to buy the drugs)

Seller (Someone to sell the drugs)

Location (A location to sell drugs)

Most neighborhoods have very little control over Product, Buyer, or Seller. Drug dealers look for Locations where neighbors do not communicate and isolate themselves. This makes it easy to intimidate those neighbors that do notice drug activity. Drug dealers like neighborhoods that say, “It can’t happen here.”

Money is a key element for the drug dealer. If they establish a drug operation in a neighborhood where kids and adults have money to buy drugs, business will thrive.

What are the warning signs of drug activity in the neighborhood?

Do any of these sound familiar?

Excessive foot or automobile traffic to and from a house or property.

Loitering in or around a house or business.

Frequent and unusual traffic patterns such as: Stop - Enter - Leave.

Traffic frequently stops and a resident comes out and talks briefly with occupants of car.

Threats of intimidation connected to a residence.

Open exchange of drugs and money.

Gang or group activity in the neighborhood.

Graffiti on structures in the area.

Sudden increase in criminal activity.

Marijuana - How can someone spot a marijuana grow operation?

Cannabis is obtained from the hemp plant. The grow operations used to cultivate marijuana can be easily set up and can produce a first crop within three months. The homes used for grow operations can be present in any community.

There are numerous signs that could suggest that a house is being used to cultivate marijuana. If a home in your area has several of the suggested indicators, do not approach or investigate further yourself. Instead call the sheriff and let him know of your suspicions.

Some of the following might be indicators:

A strange skunk-like odor emanates from the residence.

Windows are boarded or covered up and are always closed. Foil may be used as a window covering.

Residents are home only for a few hours then leave again or unusual visitor behavior.

"Beware of Dog" or "Guard Dog on Duty" signs: Used to deter trespassing, protect against theft and detection by law enforcement.

Sounds of electric humming or fans coming from the home. These sounds could be given off by lights and electrical transformers used to provide heat and false sunlight.

Localized power surges/decreases in power.

Little outdoor maintenance (i.e., trash in yard, uncut grass).

Layer of condensation on the windows.

Entry to the house is often made through an attached garage or side/back entrance to conceal activities.

Unusual electrical hook-ups to the house or outbuildings.

Persons hauling or constructing a watering system into a building.

Equipment such as large fans, lights, plastic plant containers used in the growing operations are carried into the home.

Abnormally warm buildings. In winter, snow may melt off the roofs of buildings used to house the grow operation.

Other indicators used as props to deflect any attention by neighbors and police: Outdoor and/or indoor lights, radio and/or TV on for 24 hours, flyers left in mailbox or on the front steps, children's toys & bikes outside without children living or seen at the residence, realty signs posted on front lawn.

Prevention is the best way to stop drug activity!

You can reduce the chance that a drug dealer moves into your neighborhood. Get to know your neighbors. Meet and know your Law Enforcement Officers. As problems develop in the neighborhood, work with law enforcement to resolve them quickly.

What should you do if there is a drug dealer in your neighborhood?

One of the tools of the drug dealer is intimidation. There is safety in numbers.

Build a cooperative effort with other neighbors.

Log all activity connected to the suspected drug dealer.

Talk to your Sheriff and give him the information from your log.

Speak with property owners about problems that the tenants are causing for the neighbors. If you are having problems, the property owner is probably having problems too.

Report all problems to the Sheriff.

Is Your Child Using Drugs? How to Find Out

The mood swings and unpredictable behavior of the teen years often make it hard to tell if a child is using drugs — but there are warning signs you can watch out for. If your child exhibits one or more of the following behaviors or moods, drugs may have become a part of his or her life:

She's withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about her personal grooming.

He/She is hostile, uncooperative, and frequently breaks curfews.

Their relationships with family members have deteriorated.

He/She is hanging around with a new group of friends.

Their grades have slipped, and school attendance is irregular.

He/She lost interest in hobbies, sports, and other favorite activities.

Their eating and sleeping patterns have changed, up at night and sleeps during the day.

He/She has a hard time concentrating.

Their eyes are red-rimmed and nose is runny — but he/she doesn't have allergies or a cold.

Household money, prescription drugs or other items are disappearing.

Some of these indicators can be caused by emotional problems or physical illness. Discuss the possibility with your child's doctor and, if necessary, take him in for a physical exam. If illness is not the problem, it's time to choose a course of action.

Have you found any of the following in your home:

Pipes, rolling papers, small medicine bottles, eye drops, butane lighters, homemade pipes, or bongs (pipes that use water as a filter) made from soda cans or plastic beverage containers.

If we are going to stop crime and drugs from taking over our neighborhoods and our children we must all work together as a team. Without your help and assistance local law enforcement officers face many restrictions. Your involvement is the key to stopping crime.

Do you know of drug activity in your neighborhood? If you do, CLICK HERE